During the 16th and 17th centuries, Malta was like a bastion defending Europe against the corsairs and pirates of Algeria and Barbary, so all nations respected her and kept friendly Relations with the Order. Thus, Malta flourished in this golden age of the Order's history, the Maltese helped the Knights when they sailed away to chase the Corsairs, all booty was brought to the island, sold, and the money filled the Treasury of the Order. Besides, those Knights and Maltese who loved adventure were allowed to arm galleys and go out to fight the corsairs. It was risky, but the profits were good.
At the same time, trade was increasing between East and West, Malta was like a huge clearinghouse, and Grand Master Pinto helped this development by building large warehouses in which merchandise could be kept safely. These were rented to Maltese and European agents who bought goods from Damascus, Alexandria or Tripoli and exported them in their own ships to Spain, France, Genoa, Naples and Venice. There was work for everyone ashore, The coffers of the Order were full, and many costly works were carried out by the Order. Grand Master Wignacourt had built a dock, and galleys were being built and repaired there, fine buildings and palaces offered new chances of work for the Maltese who were hard working and intelligent labourers. But, while the Order's galleys and men were aiming big blows at the Muslims, the fear of a big Turkish invasion. Was always in everyone's mind. The Knights were away for long periods, Catholic nations sent to Malta arms and men, hoping to share in another victory like that of 1565. But, many times, the Turks came, landed, raided coastal villages, carried away slaves, burned whatever they could not carry, destroyed crops, and escaped before they could be attacked.
On one occasion. In 1614, 60 Turkish galleys under the command of another Ali Pashi arrived at Marsaxlokk. The newly built fort at San Lucjan resisted them, so the Turks went to Marsascala where they landed 5,000 men. When the alarm was given. All sought shelter a Birgu and Mdina. Our cavalry went to meet them, but the Infidels had already plundered Zabbar and Zejtun and burnt their churches. Our forces attacked the Turks, drove them back to their ships, followed them even at sea, and captured many prisoners. After this, the Order built several coastal defences, and Grand Master de Redin, out of his own pocket. Built 13 towers around the Island, and placed in them guards and weapons. Then, the Floriana and the Cottonera Lines of defences were built for everyone's greater safety.

CONSPIRACY OF THE SLAVES - 1749

About 4,000 Turkish and Barbary slaves were living in Malta at the time when Pinto was Grand Master. These were employed a little everywhere. Knowing that most of the people of Valletta would go to Mdina for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul (l-Imnarja), the slaves chose that day for the revolt. One of the slaves in the service of the Grand Master was to enter his room, cut off his master's head, and fix it to the balcony outside as a signal to other slaves to do the same. Poison was to be mixed with the dinner in all the palaces of the Order. Whilst this massacre was going on, other slaves had to invade the armoury, steal weapons from there and go to occupy important positions inside forts and city gates. A signal was also to be given to the Barbary fleet awaiting some miles outside the harbour.
Luckily, the plot was discovered in a coffee house by a Jew, Cohen, two slaves were quarrelling and they said some words about the plot. So, Cohen quickly informed the Grand Master, who arrested all slaves, tried those who had planned the revolt, and tortured or hanged the guiltiest. Cohen was given a house and a sum of money as a reward

For boys, there was a special career in the Order, at 12, they could be chosen to serve as pages to the Grand Master for three years. Relatives paid their expenses; the Treasury provided their food, and friends their education. Naturally, many tried to become pages since their services to the Grand Master would, later on, help them to become Knights.
In all, only sixteen pages would be serving at the same time, two of them attended daily on the Grand Master and stayed with him wherever he went. As they walked along, they received the petitions that the people handed them on the way, and they gave these to the Grand Master when they were back at the palace. When His Eminence moved in the dark, six of these pages, with torches in their hand, showed him the way, and, when he dined in public, they person­ally waited on him while one of them tasted everything served at table.
Though they could receive sweets from guests, meat and savouries were forbidden them, however, at Christmas and Easter, all sweets left at table belonged to them. The Grand Master's pages were the gayest and most showy spectacle during the Carnival celebrations.